December 2017 Edition

VOLUME LXIII

DECEMBER 2017

NUMBER 12

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We publish letters and articles from a variety of sources and points of view. The opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Grand Encampment, the Knight Templar magazine, or the Editorial Review Board.

VOLUME LXIII DECEMBER 2017 NUMBER 12 Published monthly as an official publication of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.

Duane L. Vaught Grand Master

Contents

David J. Kussman Grand Captain General and Publisher 1781 N. Pheasant Street Anaheim, CA 92806-1007

Grand Master’s Message Grand Master Duane L. Vaught ....................... 4

Address changes or corrections and all membership activity The Star of Bethlehem including deaths should be reSir Knight Ben Williams.................................... 7 ported to the recorder of the 2018 Easter Observances................................. 9 local Commandery. Please do not report them to the editor.

Knights Templar Cross of Honor Recipients.............................. 10 Believing Sir Knight Daniel E. Koch, Jr............................ 12 Grand Commanders 2017-2018..................... 13 The Magi Sir Knight Michael Costello, III....................... 21 Toast to the Grand Master and Response....... 34

Features

Prelate’s Chapel ...................................................... 6 The Knights Templar Eye Foundation.................16,20 Grand Commandery Supplement........................... 18 Recipients of the Membership Jewel..................... 27

Lawrence E. Tucker Grand Recorder Grand Encampment Office 5909 West Loop South, Suite 495 Bellaire, TX 77401-2402 Phone: (713) 349-8700 Fax: (713) 349-8710 E-mail: larry@gektusa.org Magazine materials and correspondence to the editor should be sent in electronic form to the managing editor whose contact information is shown below.

Materials and correspondence concerning the Grand Commandery state supplements should be sent to the respective supplement editor.

John L. Palmer Managing Editor

Post Office Box 566 Nolensville, TN 37135-0566 Phone: (615) 283-8477 Fax: (615) 283-8476 E-mail: ktmagazine@comcast.net

Beauceant News.................................................... 31 Knights at the Bookshelf........................................ 32

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Grand Encampment web site: http://www.knightstemplar.org www.knightstemplar.org/KnightTemplar/archive

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Grand Master’s Message “What’s that?” A small mystery explained.

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mong the many insignia seen on a Templar uniform, some wonder about that small badge on the right side that appears for a few years and then disappears. What are these strange devices?

Pictured is the Grand Encampment committee badge of this triennium. Each triennium, the grand master has a badge designed and distributed to all Grand Encampment officers and committee members, about 300 in total.

Badges vary in size and shape but generally include such items as the initial letters of the grand master’s name, the years and number of the triennium, in this case 2015-2018, and the 67th triennium expressed in Roman numerals as LXVII. Often included is some other device of the grand master’s interest. Richard Baldwin, a career army officer, included the Great Seal of the United States, David Goodwin, a pharmacist, included a mortar & pestle. Mine mirrors our bicentennial logo.

A matter of some small curiosity on my badge is the number five that appears in each corner. Let the mystery be revealed. The infrequently seen Roman numeral for 500 is D. Therefore 555 in Roman numerals is DLV, my initials. Although a career CPA, I didn’t think a calculator would be as visually interesting.

Small amusements aside, Sir Knights wearing this badge devote invaluable time and effort to our order. It is earned by current and continuing efforts, and these deserve recognition.

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Renia

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Prelate’s Chapel by Rev. William D. Hartman, right eminent grand prelate of the Grand Encampment

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e come to that time of year when we celebrate the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus, who was born in a stable and laid in a manger, because there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn. The Lord of heaven and earth came to us in humble fashion. I think it was to remind us that our Lord and our God loves all in the world and will enter any heart that invites Him in. “For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17) For many who were in Las Vegas when fifty-eight were killed and hundreds wounded by the lone shooter in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, there might be no celebration, no “merry Christmas” attitude. Well, we all might wonder how this horrific event could impact any Christmas celebration.

Yet, we can’t forget a similar incident that happened after the birth of Jesus. When the three kings came from the East to Jerusalem to congratulate Herod on the birth of his son, they found out that the star they saw in the East was not for the birth of a son to Herod. King Herod knew what had happened and asked his priests where the scriptures indicated the Messiah was to be born. Herod then sent these magi to Bethlehem. When they did not return to Jerusalem, he ordered that all children born in that area two years of age and younger be killed. What a horrible “Las Vegas” tragedy occurred in that first century! Christmas reminds us not only of the love of God come to earth but of the horrors of life that threaten and haunt us throughout all our years. How can we face daily life never knowing what tragedies may strike?

I am grateful to Gloria and William Gaither, who share their faith in God through the hymn they wrote over forty-five years ago: “How sweet to hold a new-born baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives; but greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because [Christ] lives. Because [Christ] lives, I can face tomorrow; because [Christ] lives, all fear is gone; because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”

Yes, Christmas assures us of a God who so loves the world that despite all the horror that can happen, all who believe in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life, where God himself shall wipe every tear from our eyes, and there shall be no mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Have a blessed Christmas – Christ has overcome the world.

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The Star of Bethlehem By Sir Knight Ben Williams, eminent grand commander of Colorado

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hen we think of the star of Bethlehem, images of a blazing star in the East spring to mind, but was there really a star of Bethlehem that led the magi to the Christ child on that fateful night all those years ago?

Some scholars believe that the conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn that occurred in 7 B.C. could have been the fabled star.

These “great conjunctions,” as conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter are known, were taken by the ancients to signal the qualities of moments, to announce the beginning and end of eras, and to define the moments of great men. The great conjunction occurs in the constellation Aries once every 960 years or so.

The famed medieval astrologer, Abu Mas’ar (787-886 AD), teaches of the great conjunctions in his Book of Religions and Dynasties. On average, a great conjunction occurs about every twenty years. Remarkably, these conjunctions occur regressively in the same “triplicity,” that is in zodiacal signs that have the same elemental value – fire, water, earth, and air signs – twelve or thirteen times before the conjunction occurs in another triplicity. For example, Jupiter will conjunct Saturn in Aries, then about twenty years later in Sagittarius, then another twenty years later in Leo. This will repeat four times before the great conjunction occurs in a new triplicity.

This happens once in around 250 years.

I‘ve looked at tables of the great conjunctions going back centuries, and for the most part, surprisingly, this holds true.

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Every now and again there is an interpolation of a conjunction in a different triplicity before the changeover, but for the most part Abu Mas’ar’s teaching holds up.

Abu Mas’ar says that whenever the great conjunction switches triplicity, the birth of a prophet is signified. The birth is then forecast by taking the mean time of the conjunction and projecting the longitude of the conjunction from the ascendant of the chart. Each sign counted is significant of years, each degree 1/30 of a year, until the exact date and time of a birth is predicted.

We must remember that the magi were of Persian origin, and this technique was quite likely known to them. The question becomes, did the great conjunction of 7 B.C. switch triplicity, and did it occur in the so-called 9th house (another of Abu Ma’sar’s requirements)?

The great conjunction preceding our “star of Bethlehem” occurred in 26 B.C. at 3º Leo 17’, a fire sign. Then, on May 29, 7 B.C., the great conjunction occurred at 20º Pisces 55’, a water sign. The conjunction changed triplicity, from fire to water.

Remarkably, when viewed from Jerusalem (the capital of Judea) the conjunction began in the 9th house. Taking the mean time of the conjunction (9:57:30 a.m. local time), the conjunction is 218º 45’ from an ascendant erected for Jerusalem. Following Abu Ma’sar’s teaching, this converts to seven years, 106 days, twelve hours, forty-four minutes, and fifty-four seconds. The birth is signified to occur at 10:44 p.m. on September 12th in the year 1 A.D. (remember that 7

there was no year 0 A.D. – 1 A.D. is the year of Christ’s birth!)

September 12th is close to the beginning of the Jewish new year, and depending on the particular moon cycles, the date is within the range of Rosh Hashanah; the inns might well be full, and folks might well be traveling home to family. At 10:44 p.m., Joseph and Mary would indeed have been looking to bed down for the night. Further, September is a fitting time of year for shepherds to

be watching their flocks by night.

Of course, I am not suggesting this is Christ’s time of birth, but the fact that this particular date and time can be arrived at using an age old tradition of ancient astrology is amazing. The time could have just as easily been 4 p.m. or in a completely different year.

Is it possible that the magi performed a similar calculation in the years preceding Christ’s birth which led them to the manger?

Sir Knight Ben Williams is past commander of Mintrose-Ouray Commandery 16 in Colorado and is currently serving as the right eminent grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Colorado. He publishes the Rocky Mountain Mason magazine and serves on the editorial review board of the Knight Templar magazine. He can be contacted at orionsg8@mac.com.

Sir Knight Michael S. Franck of Detroit Commandery 1 sent us these images of this commemorative plate that was manufactured by the Knowles, Taylor & Knowles of East Liverpool, Ohio. It depicts an elk with crown and cross that reminds one of the insignia of St Hubertus - Patron Saint of the Hunter. On the back of the plate is the wording of Michigan Grand Commandery Conclave that was held in August of 1908. It is a part of his collection of Masonic memorabilia.

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K n i g h t s Te m p l a r C r o s s o f H o n o r Te m p l a r y ’s H i g h e s t Aw a r d The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America presents the recipients of the Knights Templar Cross of Honor for the year 2017. These distinguished Sir Knights have demonstrated meritorious service and have been rewarded for it. The Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment state that the Knights Templar Cross of Honor “shall be awarded only for exceptional and meritorious service rendered to the order far beyond the call of duty and beyond the service usually expected of an officer or member.”

ALABAMA Kelly Alton McMichael Dothan 25 ARIZONA William Ryan Greenen Apache 16 CALIFORNIA Edgar William Fentum Morris Siminoff 80 DELAWARE Kenneth C. Weaver, Sr. St. John’s 1 FLORIDA Robert E. Hubbard Lakeland 21 GEORGIA John Ibbotson Haggas St. Aldemar 3 IDAHO Harry Edward Owens Lewiston 2 ILLINOIS Ralph John Palmer Bethel 36 10

INDIANA Tony Scott Peterson Noblesville 61 Mark L. Baker William G. Bray 65 IOWA Michael Dewayne Desplanque Zerubbabel 68 KANSAS Joseph Allen Withrow Reno 26 KENTUCKY Charles Jason Cooper Williamsburg 50 LOUISIANA James Woodrow Porter C.A. Everitt 29 MAINE Neil Otis Hunnewell DeMolay 10

MASSACHUSETTS/ RHODE ISLAND Russell Payson Mead Boston 2 Eugene Willie Thibeault Calvary 13 MICHIGAN Paul McKean Tarr Lansing 25 MINNESOTA Brian K. Dimatteo Zion 2 MISSOURI Andrew Jay Dawson West Plains 48 MISSISSIPPI Jason Alan Jefcoat Laurel 33 NEBRASKA Anthony T. Johnson Mt. Calvary 1 NEW HAMPSHIRE Michael Francis Yannetti Trinity 1 december 2017

NEW JERSEY Newlin R. Williams Olivet 10

ROMANIA Lucian Uta Iancu De Hunedoara 7

VERMONT Joshua A. Retchless St. Aldemar 11

NEW MEXICO James W. Smith Rio Hondo 6

SOUTH CAROLINA Albert Jackson Wyatt, Sr. Rock Hill 15

VIRGINIA Jason Weber Lotz Old Dominion 11

NEW YORK Robert N. Rogers, III Norwich 46

SOUTH DAKOTA Ronald Hammer Cyrene 2

WASHINGTON John Richard Smiley Malta 18

NORTH CAROLINA Gerald Daniel Glunt Plantagenet 1

TENNESSEE Jared David Karpel De Payens 11

WEST VIRGINIA James Ernest Winzenreid Wheeling 1

NORTH DAKOTA Charles Eugene Selberg Auvergne 2

TEXAS Theodore W. Armstrong San Felipe De Austin 1

WISCONSIN Blair D. Dixon Ivanhoe 24

OHIO Ross R. Black, II Cuyahoga Falls 83 Robert Eugene Lindsey Raper 19

Jolly Bill Whitten Weatherford 51 UTAH Christopher Charles Young Golgotha 7

WYOMING Kenneth Richard Humphrey DeMolay 6

Robert R. Childers Forest City 40 OKLAHOMA William J. Cloud Capitol Hill 53 PENNSYLVANIA Larry Quentin Hall Hermit 24 Robert Allen Witmyer Nativity 71 PHILIPPINES Giovanni A. Villegas Luzon 9

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Believing By Sir Knight Daniel E. Koch, Jr. , PGC Montana Editor’s Note Occasionally, I come across an article in one of our state supplements which is too good not to share with all the readers of the magazine. I believe that the one below is one of these. Sir Knight Koch can be contacted at dkoch911@yahoo.com.

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think it would be fitting this time of year to discuss what it means to believe in something. My daughters believe in Santa Claus; however, some of their classmates are trying to convince them that he is not real and does not exist. I am not one to try to crush the imagination of my girls, so I give them the official definition of what it means to believe which is as follows: “BELIEVE: Verb,1. To accept something as true, genuine, or real; 2. To have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.” I always follow this with the usual affirmation of “if you believe in your heart that he is real, then he is real for you, it does not matter what someone else believes, your beliefs are yours alone.”

My girls talk about how they get a happy, warm, and loving feeling when they are around other people during Christmas, and they let me know that it is because of the magic of Santa, and his magic comes from those who believe in him. Who am I to disagree with that kind of wisdom and logic?

While pondering all of this, I started thinking about what I believe in, and it was kind of surprising when I realized that absolutely everything I believe in has to do with Masonry in one form or another. I believe that I am a better person, husband, and father because of the lessons of Masonry. I believe that my trust, understanding, and love for my Heavenly Father are because of the lessons taught in Masonry. I believe the trust I have for those I surround myself with is because of the lessons of Masonry. I believe that our communities are in some small way, better places in which to live because of what Masonry does. There are several other “I believes,” but in short, what I have been telling my daughters is true for me and you as well. If you believe in your heart that something is real or true, then it is such and will continue to be, as long as you believe. On the same note, if we stop believing in something, such as all the good that Masonry does, then there is no truth or realness in it for you, and you could lose the willingness to fight for it.

I hope that this Christmas season we can all stop and think about what we believe in and rekindle the fight to keep our beliefs alive. I pray that the blessings of Heaven will be yours and your family’s this holiday season as we look toward a happy new year.

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Saluting Our Grand Commanders Congratulations are extended from Most Eminent Grand Master Duane L. Vaught and the grand officers of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A. to the newly elected grand commanders of the Grand Commanderies within their jurisdictions. As a part of this salute to their dedication and tireless service to Templary, Knight Templar magazine is printing the available photographs of the Sir Knights who are serving as grand commanders for the current Templar year.

The Grand Commanders, whose photos appear on these pages, are the guiding hands on the tiller of the ship of Templary, navigating their vessel faithfully through the uncharted waters ahead.

Raymond C. Dunn

Dennis N. Oakland

Hamilton T. Zachary

David B. Bassett

ALABAMA

ALASKA

ARIZONA

ARKANSAS

Thomas N. Thomas

Ben Williams

Charles A. McCollum

Silvano Vlacic

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

CROATIA

Fred Palmer DELEWARE

Anthony L. Griffon FLORIDA

D. W. “Bill� Hendry GEORGIA

Kent R. McCandless IDAHO

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Wendell E. Walch

Larry Williams

Kyle L. Peterson

James R. Burns, III

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

Randall Partin

Ion Lazar

Gregory G. Chapman

Spyridon G. Treklas

KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

MAINE

MARYLAND

Glen M. Cunningham

Donald W. DeMars MINNESOTA

Terry G. Morgan MISSISSIPPI

K. Trent Moreland MISSOURI

Craig Phillips

Paul Smith

MASS./RI.

Dennis Duffy

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Frank L. Borden, Jr.

MONTANA

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Scott A. Gothe NEW JERSEY

Stephen Balke NEW MEXICO

Stenrick B.Adams NEW YORK

Stancil W. Wilson, Jr. NORTH CAROLINA

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Michael Bakken

Terry L. Wymer

NORTH DAKOTA

OHIO

Donnie Higginbotham OKLAHOMA

Peter Stidd OREGON

Ray K. Sheaffer

Victorino A. Floro, III

Victor Azevedo Duarte

William Martin, II

PENNSYLVANIA

THE PHILIPPINES

PORTUGAL

SOUTH CAROLINA

Wayne Gunter TENNESSEE

Jack M. Harper, II TEXAS

Jeffrey E. Hamilton UTAH

Dave Schuler VERMONT

Roy Henderson, Jr.

Ron Jones

Charles C. Clarage

Harry L. Furrey

VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

WYOMING

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A Message From the Chairman of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Annual Campaign Greetings!

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hristmas is a special time of year for enjoying time with our family and friends. As a Christian Knight, it is a time of excitement and of reflection.

We reflect upon the birth of our Savior.

We look around and see the wonderful things prepared for us since the beginning of time. We also think of what it means to each one of us to be a Knight Templar and of the great lessons we have learned in our orders. This encourages us to be of service to others.

Imagine waking up each morning and not being able to see across the room.

Imagine walking outside and not being able to see the great colors and sights as you look across the landscape. Imagine not being able to use your phone! Imagine you are a child or are elderly, and are slowly losing your eyesight. Our mission is to help, aid, and assist those in these types of difficulties.

This is a very special year, as it reminds us that we have been faithful to our mission for over fifty years! It is now our privilege to continue to be a part of this great work, providing aid to our research partners as they search for cures for those whose lives can be so drastically changed by restored eyesight.

I am asking each Sir Knight to contribute this year. Help me to help those who need to find access to care and to provide education for our future researchers. If you have contributed in the past, then increase it by 50% for the 50 th Voluntary Campaign.

I am also asking each one of you to remember the Knights Templar Eye Foundation in your estate planning.

Have a wonderful Christmas! God bless!

Fraternally Rodney A. Mann, KGC chairman 50th Annual Voluntary Campaign 16

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NEW CONTRIBUTORS TO THE KTEF CLUBS Grand Master’s Club

Marty M. Cusing................................. CA Irvan Boeglin....................................... IN Jeffrey A. Bolstad............................... MT Herbert R. Wood................................. NJ Michael W. Klinger...............................PA Paul T. Reed.........................................PA Victor E. Clarke................................... TN Paul D. Wingler................................... TN H. David Moore...................................TX Elijah E. West.......................................TX Peter R. Spring.................................... VA Robert J. Bigelow............................... WY

Michael P. Rowan................................CO Frederick C. Ackiss.............................. KY Robert N. Stutz....................................NJ C. Fred Harris...................................... PA Sanford E. Powell................................ PA Nicholas J. Williams, Jr........................ PA Ralph D. Clayton................................. TN Ricky Cox............................................. TX Lloyd W. Perkins.................................. TX Jonathan P. Park.................................. VT Joseph E. Reese.................................WA

Grand Commander’s Club Joseph Magoffin................................CO Andrew N. Triandafilou..................... CT Charles R. Bertrand........................... LA George A. Hodgson..................... MA/RI A.C. Sebastian, Jr............................... TX Neal M. Johnson.............................. WY

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Ronald R. Pizzarelli............................ CT Charles E. Matoesian..........................IL Wesley W. Babbitt....................... MA/RI Lloyd W. Perkins................................ TX Peter R. Spring.................................. VA

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General Supplement

The space on these two pages is provided by the Knight Templar magazine to be used by the Grand Commanderies to communicate with the individual Sir Knights in their jurisdictions on a monthly basis. From time to time and for various reasons, we fail to receive any material from the editor of the state supplement for a given month. When this happens, we take the opportunity to offer you the information below. – The Ed.

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Photos of the Templar city of Le Viala du Pas de Jaux in France were taken by the editor.

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Knights Templar Eye Foundation How to join the Grand Commander’s or the Grand Master’s Clubs Any individual may send a check in the amount of $100 or more specified for the purpose of beginning a Grand Commander’s Club membership and made payable to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. This initial contribution will begin your Grand Commander’s Club membership. In addition, members of the Grand Commander’s Club pledge to make annual contributions of $100 or more. Once contributions total $1,000, the individual is enrolled in the Grand Master’s Club. Membership is open to individuals only, and Commandery credit is given for participation. Information is available from: Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5, Flower Mound, TX 75022-4230, Phone (214) 888-0220, Fax (214) 888-0230, e-mail Manager@ktef.us.

Qualified Charitable Distributions Can Yield Big Tax Savings Congress has now made the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) option permanent for those who wish to make direct contributions from their IRA to charity. The tax law allows individuals age 70 ½ or older to transfer up to $100,000 a year from their IRA to a qualified charity. This distribution counts toward their required minimum distribution but isn’t added to their adjusted gross income the way a normal IRA distribution is. This can provide a tax savings of up to 40% depending upon an individual’s tax situation.

Website http://www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ 20

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The Magi By Sir Knight Michael Costello, III

Introduction e are all familiar with the nativity scene showing the holy family and the “three wise men” or “three kings,” but how many of us really know the story of the magi and what it is all about. Who were the magi? Where did they come from? What was the “star” that they followed? Throughout this article, I will endeavor to answer these questions and more.

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The Bible Story The Gospel of Matthew is the only canonical gospel to tell the story of the magi. In chapter two, Matthew writes: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of knight templar

the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, and when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In 21

The Three Kings and the Holy Family Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, go and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo, 22

the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshipped him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.� december 2017

The Word Magi The magi are popularly referred to as wise men and kings. The word magi is the plural of Latin magus, borrowed from Greek magos.

Greek magos itself is derived from Old Persian maguŝ, which comes from the Avestan magâunô.1 The term refers to the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism. As part of their religion, these priests paid particular attention to the stars and gained an international repu-

tation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science.2 Their religious practices and use of astrology caused derivatives of the term “magi” to be applied to the occult in general and led to the English term magic, although Zoroastrianism was, in fact, strongly opposed to sorcery. The King James Version translates the term as wise men.

Although the Bible account does not specifically say how many wise men came from the East, it is assumed that there were three due to the three gifts that they brought.

Eastern Christian tradition says that there were in fact twelve wise men. This may be an allusion to the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Who Were They?

Traditions identify a variety of different names for the magi.

In the western Christian church,

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they are regarded as saints and are commonly known as Melchior, Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar), and Balthazar.3 The magi developed distinct characteristics in Christian tradition, so that between them they represented the three ages of manhood. In the normal western account, Caspar is old, Melchior is middle-aged, and Balthazar is a young man. Their ages were often given as sixty, forty, and twenty respectively.

avoid Herod and do not reappear. There are many traditional stories about what happened to the magi after this, with one having them baptized by St. Thomas on his way to India. Another has their remains found

by Saint Helena and then brought to Constantinople. Eventually the remains made their way to Germany and the Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral.

Where Did They Come From?

Three gifts are explicitly identified in Matthew: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Many different theories of the meaning and symbolism of the gifts have been brought forward. While gold is fairly obviously explained, frankincense and particularly myrrh are much more obscure.

The theories generally break down into two groups: First, the three gifts are ordinary offerings and gifts given to a king, myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable.

The phrase “from the East,” more literally from the rising of the sun, is the only information Matthew provides about the region from which they came. Traditionally, the view developed that they were Babylonians, Persians, or Jews from Yemen as the kings of Yemen then were Jews. There is an Armenian tradition identifying the “magi of Bethlehem” as Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India.

After the visit, the magi leave the narrative by returning another way so as to

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The Gifts

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Second, the three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.4 This second theory dates back to Origen in Contra Celsum who writes, “gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God.” These interpretations are alluded to in the verses of the popular carol “We Three Kings” in which the magi describe their gifts. The last verse includes a summary of the interpretation: “Glorious now behold Him arise/King and God and sacrifice.”5 Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.

cal events coinciding with the likeliest dates of that first Christmas. If the story of the star was describing an actual event, it might identify the year Jesus was born.

The Gospel of Matthew describes the birth of Jesus as taking place when Herod was king. According to Josephus, Herod died after a lunar eclipse. This is usually The Star identified as the eclipse of March 13, 4 B.C. The narrative implies that Jesus was The Christmas star that guided the born sometime between the first appearwise men to Bethlehem may have been ance of the star and the appearance of any of a number of recorded astronomi- the magi at Herod’s court. That the king

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is said to have ordered the execution of The theory I like the best is the conboys two years of age and younger, im- junction of Jupiter and Regulus in the plies that the star made its appearance Constellation of Leo.7 Here, we have the within the preceding two years. Modern “three kings” in one. First, you have Juscholars date the birth of Jesus as 6–4 B.C. piter, the “king of the planets.” Second, The Gospel of Luke on the other hand, you have Regulus, the “king star.” Third, while it implies that the birth took place you have the constellation of Leo, the when Herod was alive, also says that Je- lion or “king of the beasts.” Through the sus was born during the census taken use of sophisticated astronomical softwhen Quirinius was governor of Syria, ware, archeo-astronomers can date the which took place in A.D. 6, nine years conjunction to around 4 B.C. This fits in after Herod died. The Luke account also closely with the date that modern histosays that the family of Jesus left Bethle- rians say that Christ was born. hem shortly after the birth.

Halley’s Comet appeared in 12 B.C., Conclusion and ancient Chinese texts note “exploding” stars or novas, observed in both 4 I hope that this paper sheds some more and 5 B.C. Exceptionally bright plan- light on the magi. I hope I answered any etary conjunctions occurred in 2, 6, and questions about them you may have had 7 B.C.; among these, the most promis- as well as sparked some interest and put ing candidate for the holy star was the more questions in your head that will triple conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and lead you to do research yourself.

Saturn in 6 B.C.6

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Sir Knight Michael Costello, III is a member of Hugh de Payens Commandery 1 in New Jersey and can be contacted at frerepapillion@gmail.com.

Images Page #1: http://www.swoyersart.com/james_christensen/threekings.htm Page #2: https://friarmusings.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/epiphany1.jpg Page #4: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magi_(1).jpg#mw-jump-tolicense Page #5: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_three_Magi_(Balthasar,_ Caspar,_Melchior).jpg#mw-jump-to-license Page #6: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magi_tissot.jpg Page #7: https://doxologi.com/shop/uncategorized/standard-three-box-set/ Page #8: http://www.clipartkid.com/top-10-historical-unsolved-mysteries-toptenznet-4dgETd-clipart/ Page #9: http://www.clipartkid.com/star-of-bethlehem-a-star-comet-or-miracletechnology-YlY1N2-clipart/ End Notes 1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magi 2. https://gatesofnineveh.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/magi-from-the-east/ 3. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm 4. http://ldolphin.org/magi.html 5. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/e/wethree.htm 6. http://earthsky.org/human-world/was-the-christmas-star-real 7. https://web.archive.org/web/20050101030512/http://sciastro.net/portia/articles/thestar.htm

Grand Encampment Membership Awards

1127 - 1129 Joseph Dongo Sacramento Commandery 2 Sacramento, CA 4th Bronze Cluster

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Merry Christmas!

Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

I John 4:9: “In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent His Only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him.” From the township of Nolensville, Tennessee, the folks who work on your Knight Templar magazine rejoice in the season as we remember our many blessings including the Savior’s birth, and we wish for you and your family a merry Christmas and a blessed 2018! Glenda, Managing Editor John Palmer, and “Precious, the cat”

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Are you old enough to remember when it at least seemed like we Americans were all on the same side?

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Supreme Officers 2017-2018 Front Row (left to right): Supreme Marshal (Mrs. Joseph D.) Terry P. Westbrook; Supreme Recorder (Mrs. Richard D.) Carlene Brown, supreme recorder emeritus; Supreme Worthy Second Vice President (Mrs. Carl W.) Yvonne Wuncshe; Supreme Most Worthy Oracle (Mrs. Joseph L.) Barbara Bongiovi; Supreme Worthy President (Mrs. Dean) Edith “Edie” Rein; Supreme Worthy First Vice President Ms. Kimberly Burnett; Supreme Worthy Preceptress (Mrs. Charles) Susan Thames; Supreme Treasurer (Mrs. Darryl R.) Michele Burt; and Supreme Assistant Marshal (Mrs. Thomas) Norma Shafer.

Back Row (left to right): Supreme Chaplain (Mrs. Larry H.) Kim Beaslin; Supreme Inner Guard (Mrs. James) Debralee Sturdevant; Supreme Courier (Mrs. Cirilo) Julieta Marquez; Supreme Mistress of the Wardrobe (Mrs. Joe) Mildred Blair; Supreme Color Bearer Ms. Jean A. S. MacMullen; Supreme Standard Bearer Ms. Beverly “Bev” Pickering; Supreme Daughter of the Household (Mrs. Leo) Nancy Magnuson; Supreme Historian (Mrs. Michael) Michelle Rowan; Supreme Outer Guard Ms. Lois Purrington; and Supreme Director of Music Ms. Judy C. Smith.

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Knights at the Bookshelf By Sir Knight George Marshall, PGC

Karen Kidd, Haunted Chambers: The Lives of Early Women Freemasons, Cornerstone Book Publishers, First Cornerstone Edition, 2009, Softcover, 274 pages, ISBN 988-1-934935-55-2.

T

his book is an attempt, insofar as it is now possible, to investigate the historical as well as the conjectural aspects regarding women who allegedly were somehow obligated as Freemasons. It was difficult for me to ascertain whether the author lends much credence to these stories or whether she advocates the acceptance of women into Freemasonry, but she does an adequate job of presenting the material and pointing out the pros and cons which attended the initiation portion of the woman whose story she presents.

Included in the book are chapters dedicated to the reputed presence of women in medieval masonic guilds; women and early modern Freemasonry; adoptive Freemasonry; the celebrated Elizabeth St. Leger Aldworth; Hannah Mather Crocker; Charles D’Eon de Beaumont; Henriette Heiniken; Mary Ann Belding Sproul; Catherine Sweet Babington; an Irish girl; Vinnie Ream Hoxie; Helene, Countess Hadik Barkoczy; Salome Anderson; Isabella Scoon; and some “near misses.” It should be noted that most of these women lived in the 17 th to 19th centuries.

It is scarcely surprising that the author tends to somewhat disparage Masonic authors and publications which question the truth of these tales and apparently did not support the acceptance of women into the Craft. A good example is the late Carl Claudy. On the other hand, she tends to commend those who apparently felt women had a place in Masonry, such as Rob Morris and Albert Pike.

The book fails to “prove” that any of the women considered did, in fact, become Freemasons, but the material presented is thought-provoking. There are copious notes at the end of the book which make interesting reading in themselves and serve to expand upon phrases and items presented in the text. One downside I noticed in my reading was the presence of spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors throughout the book. If a later edition has been produced, hopefully the proofreader will have caught and eliminated these.

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Subscriptions to the Knight Templar magazine are available from the Grand Encampment office at a rate of $15.00 per year. Individual issues in quantities of less than ten can be obtained for $1.50 each from the office of the managing editor if available.

Inquire via e-mail to the managing editor for quantities in excess of ten. Some past issues are archived on our web site. http://www. knightstemplar.org.

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Grand Encampment of Knights Templar

THE APARTMENTS OF THE GRAND PRELATE and THE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE Year of Our Lord 2017, to all valiant and magnanimous Knights of the Temple, wheresoever dispersed throughout Christendom ~ salutations and knightly greetings: A TOAST TO OUR MOST EMINENT GRAND MASTER CHRISTMAS 2017 We offer a toast to you, our Most Eminent Grand Master, during this your ultimate year leading the Chivalric Masons of this Grand Encampment in these United States of America and in all countries where Knights Templar who bear you allegiance may be found.

We celebrate this Christmas season, remembering the gift given to us in a baby born to the Virgin Mary, who was greeted by magi and shepherds. She, who in her birthing of Jesus, was accompanied by lambs, oxen, and donkeys. We remember the glorious visit of Jesus to the Temple where he was received by Simeon and Anna and blessed by them. So may we, as Knights of the Temple, bless our Lord and Captain this season with our best efforts to welcome the stranger, bind the wounds of the afflicted, care for the widows and orphans, and defend our churches with the sword of our integrity and the shield of our commitment to righteousness.

To you, Grand Master, we raise our voices in the most profound fraternal love. We are grateful for all that you have given us directly by your leadership of Templary and indirectly in the wise and gracious ways in which you represent all of us where ever you travel in Masonic, educational, medical, or professional circles. We pledge you and your lady, Georgia, our loving support for the remainder of your term and for all succeeding years. As you bring us light in this coming year, may you be led by the Light of the World, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We toast you and Lady Georgia and wish for you a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

A toast to you, Most Eminent Grand Master!

In His Name, Sir Knight and Reverend Kenneth D. Fuller, P.G.C., Chairman The Committee on Religious Activities Sir Knight and Reverend William D. Hartman, Grand Prelate Sir Knight and Reverend Terry L. Hensley, P.G.C. Sir Knight and Reverend James R. Herrington, P.G.C.

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GRAND MASTER’S RESPONSE Christmas 2017 To the Right Eminent Grand Prelate, The Committee on Religious Activities, and all Sir Knights wheresoever dispersed: Knightly Greetings!

The most sincere thanks from Lady Georgia and me to the Right Eminent Grand Prelate and Committee on Religious Activities for their meaningful and humbling toast this Christmas season.

The toast offered thanks me for my efforts on behalf of our order. I can only offer my best efforts, and that is what is required from anyone so blessed as to be able to occupy this offfice. Everywhere I travel I am met by brother Sir Knights who are dedicated to our Christian principles and to our more earthly ventures in the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and Holy Land Pilgrimage. These efforts bring the light of God’s wonders to the blind and the light of understanding to His clergy.

As we celebrate the birth of the Christ, let us each try our best to practice the virtues of faith and to spread goodwill and support to all. Christ told us to love others, and in this season more than any, we should make a greater effort and a deeper committment to carry the practice into the new year and into our daily lives.

We pray that each of our Templar families and the world at large may find peace, happiness, joy, hope, and love during this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The officers of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and their ladies join with my Lady Georgia and me in wishing each of you and your families a most blessed and merry Christmas!

Courteously,

Duane Lee Vaught, GCT Grand Master

The foregoing toast to the Most Eminent Grand Master and his response thereto are transmitted to you with the request that you extend an invitation through the proper offices to all Sir Knights within your jurisdiction to join in the sentiments thus conveyed at some convenient hour, on or near the birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas Day, December twenty-fifth, in the year of grace 2017.

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For unto you is born this day in the city of David a S a v i o r, w h i c h i s Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

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